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The Moment I Become Not Just a Dad, But "Super Dad!"

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by Jason Greene on August 04, 2014

Jason Greene

About the Author

Jason Greene is a former actor and playwright
who now spends his days as a stay-at-home dad entertaining his 3 children. He
writes about raising kids, sports, product reviews, travel, and anything else
that pops into his head on his blog, <a href="http://thejasongreene.com/">One Good Dad</a>.

About the Blog

WhatToExpect.com supports Word of Mom as a place to share stories and highlight the many perspectives and experiences of pregnancy and parenting. However, the opinions expressed in this section are those of individual writers and do not reflect the views of Heidi Murkoff of the What to Expect brand.

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I do not wear a cape, nor do I have an alter ego that protects my secret identity. I do not come from a planet far away, sent to Earth to protect it from other evil galactic empires. But on occasion I do get to play the role of a superhero as I save my children from their nightmares.

It happens when I least expect it and usually when I am in a deep sleep. Suddenly, one of my children falls in the path of danger. They are scared. They are terribly frightened. They need me. They scream loudly, "Daddy!"

And within seconds I'm leaping over LEGOs, dolls, Star Wars action figures and a variety of other sharp objects that have been scattered throughout my house. Bursting into my children's dark room, I find them sweating and panting, as their heart races a million miles an hour. As I slept, they were running from a monster or in the clutches of something evil. Or, they were simply alone somewhere and didn't know how to get home.

But now I'm with them. I wrap my arms around them and hold them tightly as reality takes hold. In that moment I'm not just a dad: I'm Super Dad! No longer am I just the enforcer of rules and guider of their future. Rather, I am the one who conquers fears. My super power is the healing touch, applied through loving hugs and comforting words.

I'm a skinny guy, and my kids will never debate other children in the old contest of "My dad can beat up your dad." But in the moment right after a nightmare, I am brave and strong. I am their protector.

The next time you are awakened by a cry in the night, do not simply consider it an annoyance, a disruption to your slumber. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to enact the pages of your child's favorite comic book.

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